₦airaland Forum

SHORTLY after the August 1983 military coup
that brought a 41-year-old Muhammadu Buhari
to power, he received a phone call from a top
personnel in the United States Army.
General Smith was the Commandant of the U.S.
War College from which General Buhari
graduated in 1980. The school’s 1979 set had
graduated its first Nigerian, General Wushishi,
who was the Chief of Defence in the just
ousted Shehu government.
“Please, be kind to him,” General Smith said
over the phone.
The essence of the phone call was not just to
congratulate Nigeria’s new Head of State, but to
ensure that the first Nigerian to graduate from
the U.S. War College would not suffer any
indignity under the government of the second
Nigerian to graduate from the same school.
On Wednesday, July 22, members of the U.S.
War College Class of 1980 gathered at the Blair
House in Washington, DC, to welcome the man
they had selected as their football team
referee 36 years ago.
“Being referee all those years ago taught me to
be fair and just,” President Buhari said during
the meeting.
Among the former classmates gathered were
Lt. General Granrud (Commander of the U.S.
forces in Japan, retd), Brigadier General Jack
Pellica, General Ronald Griffith (former Vice
Chairman of the U.S. army central command),
Colonel Lany Gordon and Colonel Paul
Summerville.
General Smith has since passed on, as have all
the directing staff and a larger percentage of
the old students from the set.
“This just shows that all of us are on the
queue,” President Buhari said, “waiting for our
turn.”
The Nigerian Commander-in-Chief said he
hoped that the U.S. would continue its tradition
of training Nigerians in the war college. At the
time he attended the school, he was the only
African in his class. The only other foreigners
were from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel,
Indonesia, Thailand, France and Japan. The
Japanese student went on to become the head
of his country’s army.
President Buhari then went on to update his
classmates on his life since he last saw them:
his different appointments, his ac­
complishments and his family.
“I have just received my 13th grandchild,” he
said.
He added that the wife they knew him with at
the time had since died, and that he had also
lost a son and a daughter.
“Of all my eight children,” he said, “only one is
a boy.”
Some of his former classmates were curious to
know if President Buhari would place his only
son, Yusuf, in the army.
“I stopped him from joining the army,”
President Buhari replied.
He explained that the military he joined was
very different from what it is today, adding that
he was the second Nigerian to be sent to the
U.S. War College, based on his records alone,
without connections.
“Things took a wrong turn in Nigeria,” he said.
“Your records no longer mattered.”
Some of the former classmates present at the
meeting stated that at the time they met
President Buhari back in 1980, they knew little
about Nigeria or Africa. They credited the
Nigerian leader with giving them their initial
enlightenment about the continent. Others
recalled how he always overworked himself.
However, President Buhari described his war
college experience as being responsible for his
subsequent life of hard work, endurance and
perseverance.
“I contested for president three times and
failed,” he said. “Then I did it the fourth time
and won.”
A roar of laughter followed the president’s apt
illustration.
He then rendered his narrative of the collapse
of the Soviet Union, breaking into 18 republics
and how that influenced his decision to join
politics.
“The collapse of the Soviet empire in 1980
without a single shot being fired convinced that
the multi-party democratic system was the best
for all countries.”
President Buhari then expressed appreciation
to President Barack Obama and to the U.S. for
the role the country played in Nigeria’s
successful elections, recalling Secretary of
State, John Kerry’s visit to him and to former
president Goodluck Jonathan, as well as to
Attahiru Jega, the electoral commissioner at
the time.
“Kerry read the riot act to all of us,” he said,
“saying that the conduct of the election must be
free, fair and in line with the Constitution.”
He added that, without US intervention, the
electoral malpractices of the past 12 years
would likely have happened again.
“God made me but America made me,” he
said.
The Class of 1980 gave President Buhari the
full assurances of their support, stating that
they were willing to use their experience to
assist him in any way they can, particularly with
tackling terrorism in northeast Nigeria. They
promised to put together and forward to him a
compendium of their thoughts on the security
situation in Nigeria.
In September, President Buhari will be
meeting once again with his former classmates,
at another event scheduled to take place at the
United Nations.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All
Progressives Party (APC) spent N3.23 billion on
political campaign advertisements for this
year’s general elections, according to a report
at the weekend.
According to the report by Compliance and
Content Monitoring Ltd (CCM), the PDP
accounted for about N2.5 billion (77 per cent of
the total spending) and APC spent N728 million
(23 per cent).
CCM said the media advertisements were
placed on radio, television, press and billboards
for the PDP and the APC presidential
campaigns between December 2014 and
March.
The report was unveiled after a thorough
analysis of over 260 broadcast media (radio and
television), 48 print (newspapers and
magazines) media and over 1,000 outdoor
billboards across the country.
The firm focused on the two main parties,
taking into cognisance the nation’s geographical
zones, the advertising campaigns of the
different political parties, individuals and
groups in support of the presidential
candidates.
The Managing Director of CCM Limited, Mr.
Tunde Onadele, who spoke at the unveiling of
the report, said about 253 creative materials
were deployed across radio and television
channels in all the 260+ stations monitored by
CCM, with PDP utilising 145 materials. APC
deployed 107 materials.
The split across media platforms showed that
the two parties utilised mostly television and
press platforms for over 85 per cent of total
campaign spending.
The report highlighted that gross media rates
were used in CCM’s calculations and the data
across the monitored stations account for about
85 per cent of the national coverage.

KILODE1KGLO:
Didn't Buhari say he was going to crush bokoharam?

Chai..
He lied, APC lied, this was all a sham.

Hopes of freedom for the 219 Chibok girls have been rekindled, with preliminary talks between the Presidency and some Boko Haram leaders.

The new deal is being brokered by some confidants of the Presidency and the sect.

Some key commanders of Boko Haram in detention are also eager to be part of the initiative, The Nation learnt.

The new understanding came amid security reports that about 500 insurgents in a neighboring country are interested in renouncing terrorism – in line with the reconciliatory agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the President is being cautious in rushing at the new offer from some leaders of the sect to avoid what a source described as the “costly mistakes of the past administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari has asked security agents to “screen or certify” those spearheading the new negotiation to ensure that the government is dealing with the right Boko Haram leaders.

Some Boko Haram leaders are believed to have been overwhelmed by the President ‘s olive branch.

It was learnt that the President’s reconciliatory agenda made some confidants of the sect to initiate a fresh negotiation between the Presidency and some Boko Haram leaders.

It was gathered that at the preliminary level, a “cautious understanding” has been struck by both parties.

Some mileage gained so far include the following:

likely release of some Chibok girls to underscore the readiness of Boko Haram for negotiation;
involvement of some Boko Haram leaders, on whom the United States Government placed ransom, in the peace deal; and
commitment of the Buhari administration to the negotiation.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President’s appeal for peace in the Northeast is yielding dividends because a fresh facilitation of talks between the Presidency and Boko Haram has started.

“This latest negotiation, which is at the preliminary stage, is being promoted by some mutual confidants of the Presidency and Boko Haram.

“The new deal may lead to the release of some Chibok girls to set the tone for a comprehensive negotiation by both sides.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The President is extremely cautious on this offer of negotiation.

“ Buhari has ordered security agencies to screen or certify those Boko Haram commanders interested in facilitating this latest negotiation to ensure that they are bonafide leaders of the sect.

“The position of the President is that why he is not averse to a peace deal, the Federal Government must avoid the costly mistakes of the past which led to a waste of time and huge resources.

“The President wants the release of the Chibok girls and quick restoration of peace to the Northeast; he is ready to negotiate with the right people for sustainable results.”

But there are strong indications that the leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau, is yet to be involved in the new deal.

“I think we are still at the preliminary stage. At the right time, there is a way the negotiation offer will be forwarded to their leader.

“But the fact that some Boko Haram commanders, whom US placed ransom upon, might be part of the negotiation shows that the crisis can be resolved, if all hands are on deck, “ another source added.

The defunct Joint Task Force(JTF) in the Northeast on November 23, 2012 placed ransom on 19 leaders of Boko Haram.

The list had comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest making body of the sect) and 14 Boko Haram commanders.

But one of the Shurra Committee members, Mohammed Zangina (a.k.a Mallam Abdullahi/Alh. Musa) was allegedly killed in a shoot-out with the Joint Task Force(JTF) in Maiduguri.

With Zangina out, those still wanted are four members of the Shurra Committee of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai (N25million); and Momodu Bama (N25 million).



The fate of Momodu Bama was also unknown as at press time, following conflicting reports on whether he is alive or dead.

The Boko Haram Commanders being sought for by the JTF are Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

Buhari’s “peace agenda” has motivated 500 Boko Haram members in a neighboring country to signify interest in renouncing terrorism.

A third source said: “These 500 insurgents said they were specifically encouraged by the rapprochement of the President.

“They have offered to surrender in return for integration by the administration of the President.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “If the President gets the right partners in doing a deal, he will consider a peaceful resolution. He has said that unambiguously in the course of the visit to the U.S. If that doesn’t work out, the President has the will and willingness to crush terror using the army.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has restricted the use of aircraft in the presidential fleet by his wife, Hajiya Aisha, and relations.

It was learnt that some members of the First Family will now use commercial flight, unless it becomes compelling for them to fly in presidential aircraft.

Apart from saving cost, the President is said to be determined to prevent abuse of the presidential fleet.

To set example for others, the President made sure that his wife and three children performed Umrah (Lesser Hajj) to Makkah through Emirates Airline.

They also came back with the same airline.

Besides the tough measure on aircraft, the President is yet to make up his mind on whether or not his wife should be addressed as the First Lady. Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the “wife of the President”.

The President was worried by the security reports on high cost of maintaining the presidential aircraft and abuse by some highly-placed Nigerians, The Nation learnt.

During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, about N9.08billion was spent yearly to maintain the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

The aircraft are two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulf Stream IVSP.

Others are one Gulf Stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and a Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

A source said: “President Buhari has adopted a strict policy on the use of presidential aircraft in order to save cost. His wife and relations have been restricted from the use of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.

“A situation where the aircraft were used anyhow by some friends, associates of the President during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan can no longer be applicable in this dispensation.

“For example, the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and three children travelled for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Emirates Airline.

“Buhari is determined to ensure the judicious use of the presidential aircraft to save cost. He is also setting a new template for governance. Do not be surprised if you see the President using commercial flights.”

Another source said: “Do you know that it costs about N747 million to fuel the aircraft in the presidential fleet per annum. President Buhari said his administration cannot afford such a luxury.”

“The US President, Barrack Obama uses only two Boeing jets and one helicopter. So, Buhari is determined to cut cost. In any case, he lives an austere life. If he can ask his wife to fly a commercial jet, then other public officers must emulate his standard.”

It was not immediately clear if the President will sell some of the aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet as being speculated.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, on June 19, said he was not aware of such a plan.

The President is yet to make up his mind on whether or not his wife should be addressed as the First Lady.

A source said: “I think the President does not want the Office of the First Lady hijacked by vested interests as the case between 2010 and 2015 when Jonathan was in charge.

“So far, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the ‘Wife of the President’.”

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “I didn’t ask the President why he let her go on Emirates. But given the tone of his leadership, I will, however, say with all confidence that he is, by doing that, sending an important message to the country.”

Snipes009:
If your sister or daughter is among the Chibok girls, I bet you wouldn't write this....smh

INDICATIONS emerged at the weekend that the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to announce ministers after nearly two months of assuming office is not unconnected with the alleged malfeasance, fraud and misappropriation of funds traced to most of the ministerial nominees.
The revelations by investigation teams reportedly revealed shocking security reports on the alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds by 33 nominees short-listed by President Muhammadu Buhari, with only three said to have passed the corruption test.

Informed sources told Sunday Tribune that out of the 36 ministerial nominees penciled in and those submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchy and sent to the DSS, EFCC, ICPC, CBN, the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for forensic screening, only three nominees came out unscathed.

President Buhari had insisted that he wanted to appoint people without corruption baggage that could taint administration and inhibit his anti-corruption drive.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the president was dumbfounded as to the mind-boggling amount of money quantified in several transactions cutting across several sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, finance, power, governance and infrastructural commitments, where the persons involved failed the nation, thus contributing to its current decadence.

Consequently, President Buhari is said to have rescheduled the new date for the submission of his list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for approval to September, during which it is hoped that he would have prepared a new list that will be screened and those that scaled the integrity huddle, presented for confirmation.

A source said: “Buhari has said anybody with skeleton in the closet will not work with him irrespective of the role he or she played. If such persons are around him, it means he may be pressurised to compromise his principled stance”.
“So they are trying to push him to a corner, because the truth is that they cannot seem to read or understand his body language. They have now seen that Buhari is ready to sacrifice anybody for Nigeria to move forward”, the source stated.

whitewitch:
mr abooki stop lying to us, we all know dat d 1st day will b ur initiation into 666, D 2nd day will b ur ass getting fvck by Obama, d 3rd will u accepting to legalise gay in nigeria, D 4rd day will b u returning home and plane crash 4rm thunda 4rm heaven. GEJ MY HERO

Suspect33:
Non of these happened in GEJ tenure.. Nigeria is in fire and buhari is drinking fura in east america

Wildrage:
His lawyers should tell him anything said in the course of court proceedings is privileged and no action can be brought against anyone for libel

Ex-President seeks protection

HOLIDAYING former President Goodluck Jonathan has dashed into Abuja to launch a protest, The Nation has learnt.

Dr Jonathan is disturbed by the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe how $2.1billion was illegally withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), sources said yesterday, pleading not to be named “because of the sensitivity of the matter”.

Jonathan is said to be planning a protest to the Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami National Peace Committee for 2015 General Elections that:

•the Buhari administration is trying to blackmail him and his erstwhile cabinet members;

•he is not pleased with the corruption tar being put on his administration; and that

•he is worried by the likely probe of the whereabouts of the $4billion taxes and dividends paid by the Nigerian Liquified Natural gas Ltd between 2009 and 2014.

Jonathan and some of his ministers are said to be angry that Buhari ought to know that such taxes and dividends are remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Another matter troubling Jonathan and his ministers, according to sources, is how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under his watch allegedly blew N3.8trillion in three years.

The Abdulsalami Committee is yet to have audience with Buhari on the allegations made by Jonathan, a source said.

The former President arrived in the country last weekend to “defend his administration”. He could not be reached for comments last night.

It was, however, learnt that he had chosen to table before the Abdulsalami Committee some issues, including the controversial $2.1billion withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without recourse to the National Economic Council(NEC).

A source said: “The former President returned into the country at the weekend but he is unhappy with the bashing of his administration.

“Jonathan believes that Buhari is blackmailing him and his ministers, contrary to the terms of the 2015 poll peace agreement which led to a smooth transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I think Jonathan approached the Abdulsalami Committee so that he will be left alone by Buhari who openly said he inherited an empty treasury from his predecessor.”

A former minister in the Jonathan administration, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-President is unhappy that the administration of Buhari has been stigmatising his administration instead of putting him into confidence on issues.

“For God’s sake, let them allow this man to earn his well-deserved retirement. If there is any observation by the new government, there are standard official procedures of addressing such.”

NEC, on June 29, raised a four-man panel on how NNPC spent N3.8 trillion in three years.

The four ‘wise men’ are Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe).

While awaiting the submission of the committee’s report, Oshiomhole joined issues with the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on how $2.1billion in ECA was disbursed without approval.

He said the $2.1 billion, only $1 billion was paid to oil marketers as fuel subsidy and about $1billion used for election purposes.

Although Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala claimed that the ex-President approved the spending of $1 billion, Oshiomhole said Jonathan had no right to do so.

He said any withdrawal from the account ought to be approved by NEC.